26/09/2025

FRIDAY | SEPT 26, 2025

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‘Paracetamol safe for expectant women’

The operation concluded at 6.59pm, with additional support from police and the Civil Defence Force. When asked if he was afraid during the capture, Farid said he was not. “I was stationed in Sarawak before being posted to Penang and had been involved in two or three cases involving crocodiles.” Saltwater crocodiles are a protected species under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. M’sian executed in Singapore PETALING JAYA: Malaysian national Datchinamurthy Kataiah, 39, was executed in Singapore yesterday despite last-minute appeals from activists and rights groups to stop the execution. The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) in a statement confirmed that the sentence was carried out after Datchinamurthy was convicted of trafficking 44.96g of diamorphine, or pure heroin, adding that the amount was enough to sustain the addiction of roughly 540 users for a week. Datchinamurthy was first sentenced to death on April 15, 2015. His appeal against the conviction and sentence was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on Feb 5, 2016 and subsequent petitions for presidential clemency were also unsuccessful. CNB said capital punishment in Singapore is reserved for the most serious offences, such as trafficking significant quantities of drugs. It said such crimes inflict“very serious harm, not just to individual abusers, but also to their families and society”. Datchinamurthy’s case has drawn attention in Malaysia in recent years, with rights groups urging Singapore to halt his execution in light of ongoing concerns over capital punishment. The execution was initially halted on Thursday morning but was later rescheduled and carried out at 3pm.

hypotheses ranging from oxidative stress to hormonal disruption. “These are theoretical pathways. We are only seeing correlation, not causation.” Trump’s comments, delivered alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr on Sept 22 at a White House press conference, were quickly dismissed by medical professionals as unsubstantiated. Universiti Putra Malaysia obstetrics and gynaecology specialist Dr Nurul Iftida Basri said the bigger risk lies in untreated illness. “Unresolved fever raises the mother’s core temperature, which in turn increases the temperature in the womb. This could harm the unborn foetus, particularly if birth occurs while the mother still has a high fever.” She added that pain itself could also have significant physical and psychological effects. “Paracetamol remains the crocodiles in these waters. Therefore, continuous monitoring operations (at coastal and nearby river areas) would be conducted to ensure public safety,” he told theSun . The reptile was confirmed to measure 12 feet in length. He also urged residents and tourists to exercise caution when engaging in water activities at Teluk Bahang. On Sept 23, the Fire and Rescue behavioural interventions could save 180,000 lives, add 400,000 healthy life years and return RM30 billion in value over the next 15 years. Dzulkefly pointed to early successes: women-led malaria campaigns in Sabah cut cases by nearly 80% across six districts, behaviour-based messaging reduced congestion at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah in Klang and a small change in fruit display tripled weekly fruit sales. “These examples prove that small, low-cost adjustments could drive big changes.” When asked if the government would expand its MySara subsidy programme to include fresh produce, Dzulkefly said he is open to the idea. “Many Malaysians do not eat enough fruits and vegetables. Making fresh produce more affordable and accessible is itself a behavioural nudge. I will take this proposal under serious consideration.” Malaysia will further showcase its leadership by hosting the First National Conference on Behavioural Science for Health in April 2026. “Today we move forward with urgency, unity and conviction towards a healthier, more resilient Malaysia.” – By Kirtinee Ramesh

first-line analgesic for pain during pregnancy.” She also said there was no need to revise Malaysia’s obstetric guidelines, despite recent headlines suggesting otherwise. “A recent statement by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency confirmed that paracetamol remains safe in pregnancy and that there is no evidence it causes autism in children. No change is needed for now.” Both experts advised expectant mothers to use paracetamol judiciously and consult healthcare providers if in doubt. “Any statement on the dangers of medications during pregnancy must be based on rigorous scientific evidence. “A single study does not necessarily represent the true relationship, and news headlines may not reflect professional consensus.”

o Trump remark linking painkiller to autism in children not supported by science: Experts

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

does not show that taking paracetamol causes autism or ADHD in children.” She cited a 2024 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, which examined sibling pairs to account for genetic and environmental factors. “The analysis found no association between acetaminophen (paracetamol) use during pregnancy and a child’s risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability. “This suggests that earlier signals of risk in other studies were likely due to confounding factors, not a causal link.” She said while paracetamol does cross the placenta and the blood–brain barrier, possible harms remain theoretical, with records of crocodiles in the waters but the discovery cannot be taken lightly. “So far, there are no official records of crocodile sightings in Teluk Bahang waters. There are no indications of a resident crocodile population here, since there have been no repeated reports. However, we take this discovery seriously. “Although this is the first case reported in Teluk Bahang, we do not dismiss the possibility of more He added that an expert committee is considering the best methods to help current users transition away from vaping even before restrictions take effect. At the same event, he unveiled the NBBI, making Malaysia the first country in the western Pacific region to adopt a nationwide strategy applying behavioural science to improve public health. The plan aims to “make the healthier choice the easier choice” at home, schools, workplaces and communities. “Health is not built in hospitals alone. “People often know what is good for them, but real change happens when the healthier option is made easier and more attractive.” He said the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 found that 54.4% of Malaysian adults are overweight or obese, 29.9% are physically inactive, 95% eat too few fruits and vegetables and 20% still use tobacco. These behaviours drive chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, which account for 72% of premature deaths and cost the economy RM64.2 billion a year. According to the ministry, effective

PETALING JAYA: United States President Donald Trump has stirred debate after urging pregnant women to avoid Tylenol, claiming the common painkiller could cause autism in children. However, Malaysian specialists say his remarks are not supported by science and emphasised that paracetamol, the generic name for Tylenol, remains safe for expectant mothers when taken appropriately. Universiti Sains Malaysia Centre for Drug Research professor Dr Zurina Hassan said paracetamol has long been considered safe in pregnancy when used in moderation. “Current scientific evidence

Authorities to keep tabs on Teluk Bahang after crocodile capture

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Department received a distress call at 4.38pm after the crocodile was spotted approaching a beach along Jalan Tanjung Bungah. A six-member team led by Farid, arrived within minutes. “With assistance from local fishermen and residents, our team set up nets and managed to capture the crocodile safely. It was handed over to the Wildlife and National Parks Department for further action.”

GEORGE TOWN: A 12-foot crocodile captured near the shores of Teluk Bahang has prompted authorities to step up surveillance of the area, despite the incident being regarded as an isolated case. State Fire and Rescue Department operations commander Mohd Farid Idris said there have been no previous

Phased nationwide vape ban by 2026, says minister

CYBERJAYA: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad yesterday said Malaysia is moving towards a phased nationwide ban on vaping products by 2026 as part of a sweeping health agenda anchored in behavioural science. “The question is no longer if we ban vaping, but when,” he said after launching the National Blueprint for Behavioural Insights in Health (NBBI). “We are planning a gradual approach, starting with open-system products before phasing in a complete prohibition.” He said the Health Ministry has briefed the Cabinet on the proposal and would soon table a memorandum for final approval. While Dzulkefly expressed hope that the first phase could begin by mid-2026, he added that the Cabinet would decide the final timeline. He underscored the importance of behavioural insights, science-based “nudges” that encourage healthier choices, in ensuring the success of the ban. “(The) law has its limits. Behavioural insights could help smokers and vapers choose to quit on their own, without relying solely on enforcement. That is crucial for long-term success.”

Dzulkefly showcasing an official report at the launch event yesterday. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN